Minx smiled politely, "congratulations! You look young for a soon-to-be grandfather! I bet your wife is bubbling with joy."
Drexel chuckled, "she's already making clothing!"
Minx smiled knowingly, "I don't mean to switch subjects but before I turn in, I wanted to let you know my friend Shalt," she gestured to the man hanging back just so, "is my close aid. If I ever send him to you, he's to be listened to as though the words are coming from me."
Drexel smiled brightly, "I understand. The reason I took you aside was I saw the two of you exchange a glance at dinner and I feared I offended you."
Minx chuckled, "not at all. He knew I wasn't feeling well and I was communicating to him that I was feeling better with some food."
"Brilliant!" he exclaimed as the mystery was solved.
He turned toward Shalt, "I'm sure the princess will be busy with matters of State. I look forward to our future interactions, Shalt or is it Sir Shalt?"
Minx chuckled, "I suppose it should be sir but not yet. I need to speak to Father about that," she mused. "Anyway, it's been a long day and we have another tomorrow."
"Of course!" Drexel exclaimed, "I just wanted to make sure you were satisfied."
Minx smiled, "of course. We'll see you in the morning."
Minx and Shalt returned to the room to discover Owen was already asleep. Midas was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for the word version of the previous conversation.
Shalt was last to enter and he locked the door when he did. He took Minx over and had her sit next to Midas.
"Two heartbeats." He said softly.
"So, I'm pregnant again," Minx said trying to hide her emotions. This meant he gave her two children and he was going to miss both births and be absent for both of them. Granted this second one was partially her fault…
Midas sat next to her and watched her, practically reading her thoughts. He took her hand and tried to comfort her. "He'll meet the baby when we go back home. When this is all over." He offered her a gentle, supportive smile.
She nodded and climbed in bed on the other side of Owen. Midas lay down on his other side. Shalt looked around the room to ensure there were no dangers then pulled out a sleeping bag. He could have slept in the second bed, but they were in a strange place.
As he lay down, Midas heard him say, "as shifty as a family leader…" Midas wanted to as what that meant but he had a feeling he didn't want to know.
The family woke the next morning to the sound of a clattering tea service, a female screaming, and a vampire cussing at being woken by a shower of freshly brewed tea. She apologized profusely and went to slap herself for her actions, but Shalt grabbed her hand, stopping her.
"There is no need for that..," he said gently.
She had tears running down her face, "but I burned you. I must be punished."
Shalt chuckled, "I think the fright I caused you is punishment enough. Did you expect to come into this room and trip over my sleeping bag?"
She shook her head.
"I would think not," Shalt smiled gently. "This was an accident I caused which you had no way of avoiding. If anything, you're the hero of the hour because you only spilled half the pot!" he continued ending with a big smile.
He helped her pick up some cups that had fallen. As he set them on the tray, the mayor came racing in.
He looked at the girl and the overturned tea service on her tray. There was a wet line down her front, evidence of the tea that raced down her front. Soggy wet crumbs from the crackers she thoughtfully decided to include clung to her as if they were rebelling against hitting the floor.
The Mayor immediately scolded her as he raised an open palm ready to strike the flinching girl. Shalt grabbed his wrist and his eyes went red. Drexel's eye had a red halo indicating the influence skill was active.
Shalt had never used this skill before, but he had never been in a position where someone was being abusive, and he was able to stop it. Today was that day.
"This girl saved me from immense pain when I bumped into her hot service. She is to be given accolades and a promotion. I expect myself and Her Highness to be served by no one but her when we visit," and he ended his influence skill
Drexel looked at the girl, "well done! Thank you for tending our dignitaries so diligently! Quickly change and get them something else. We'll discuss a promotion this afternoon. You certainly earned it!"
Shalt raised a finger. "May I request some crackers and a tea that's gentle on the stomach?"
"Of course, sir! This is gentle. It stimulates the appetite to prepare for breakfast. I was told you would be traveling today…" she glanced back at Drexel, hoping she wouldn't get hit for her initiative.
"Good thinking!" he responded.
Shalt decided to add one more thing, "can you serve it in at the table? We are all up now so we might as well get ready and come down."
"I was about to suggest that, myself!" Drexel responded with a smile.
Shalt shooed them all from the room then looked at his Family leader sitting on her bed with the biggest smile he had seen in a long time.
"What?" he asked innocently.
Minx giggled. It was like music in the room. She had a true moment of happiness.
It didn't take them long to get ready. The noise woke the whole floor and soon the table was laden with another large meal. Minx more of that special dish. The serving girl brought her a card with some form of writing that she couldn't read.
She realized she couldn't even call some plants by the names she knew them as. They likely had different names here. She would need to learn the local names. The server whispered a quiet thank you as she backed away from Minx.
Despite it being Shalt who saved her from punishment, she couldn't come up with a reason to get close enough to say anything. She figured this was as close as she could get.
Minx smiled and winked at her, which she took as a good sign and returned to the kitchen for more juice.
An hour later, they were outside the invisibility dome and heading to the next village.